Prospect Of The Day
Chris Davis’ performance is getting louder with each swing. The Frisco (Rangers) first baseman went 3-for-4 with his Texas League-leading 11th home run and 11th double yesterday, raising his batting line to .323/.373/.587 in 167 at-bats. The Rangers reportedly will move Hank Blalock from third base to first base, but Blalock’s contract ends at the end of this season, with a $6.2 million club option for 2009, so the move shouldn’t impede Davis’ future ascension in the organization.

Prospect Nuggets
Max Ramirez also contributed to Frisco’s 4-1 victory over San Antonio (Padres). The 23-year-old catcher went 1-for-3 with a walk and his ninth home run of the year, bringing him up to .377/.450/.658 in 146 at-bats. Ramirez ranks first in the TL in both on-base percentage and slugging. The game also was the first Double-A appearance for righthander Tommy Hunter, who had a 3.55 ERA and a 50-8 K-BB ratio in 58 1/3 innings in the high Class A California League. Hunter handled the San Antonio lineup well, allowing one run in seven innings with no walks and four strikeouts . . . Corpus Christi (Astros) center fielder Mitch Einertson collected three singles in four at-bats in an 11-5 loss to Midland (Athletics) . . . Toolsy Tulsa (Rockies) center fielder Dexter Fowler had two hits and a walk in five plate appearances against Springfield (Cardinals). Meanwhile, Cardinals third baseman Allen Craig had his fifth conseuctive multi-hit game in a 3-for-5 night that included his 12th double of the season.

What To Watch For Today
Take the day off . . . the Texas League will do the same.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day
We’re giving the honors today to not one but three Carolina (Marlins) hitters–the first three hitters in the lineup, each of whom homered against Huntsville. Leadoff hitter and left fielder John Raynor went 2-for-4 with a walk, two stolen bases (Nos. 16 and 17) and hit his fifth home run; center fielder Cameron Maybin went 2-for-4 with his 10th stolen base and sixth home run; and second baseman Chris Coghlan went 2-for-3 with two walks and his third homer. Coghlan has looked particularly good this season, and the 22-year-old is now hitting .311/.390/.447 in 161 at-bats.

Prospect Nuggets
On the other side of the ball, Huntsville (Brewers) right fielder Matt LaPorta didn’t homer, so Mat Gamel decided he would go yard instead. The Stars third baseman went 2-for-4 with a walk and his 10th home run . . . Jacksonville (Dodgers) shortstop Ivan DeJesus went 2-for-3 with a walk, his eighth consecutive game in which he has reached base safely . . . Chattanooga shortstop Chris Valaika is getting used to Double-A pitching. The Reds farmhand went 2-for-4 with a double yesterday, bringing him up to .250/.308/.354 in 48 Double-A at-bats since his promotion from high Class A Sarasota, where he batted .363/.393/.585 in 135 at-bats . . . West Tenn (Mariners) center fielder Michael Saunders scored two runs and went 3-for-5 in a 5-4 victory over Mobile (Diamondbacks).

What To Watch For Today
With most teams traveling, there are only two games on tap: Mobile (Arizona) at West Tenn and Mississippi (Braves) at Tennessee (Cubs).

EASTERN LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day
Is this year the year that Trevor Plouffe breaks out? Since the Twins made Plouffe a first-round pick in 2004 out of high school, the 21-year-old has a .253/.323/.370 battling line in 438 professional games. He hit a respectable .274/./326/.410 in 126 games last year with New Britain, and he’s back with the Rock Cats for another year. He’s hitting .294/.341/.438 through 38 games this year, including yesterday when he went 3-for-4 with his tenth double of the season. Plouffe has a strong arm, but he did commit a throwing error, his sixth of the season.

Prospect Nuggets
Dan Murphy, Binghamton’s (Mets) 23-year-old third baseman, went had four hits in five at-bats, including his ninth double . . . Bowie (Orioles) right fielder Nolan Reimold extended his hitting streak to 12 games as he went 2-for-5 with a double against Erie (Tigers). After a pedestrian April (.232/.324/.347 in 95 at-bats), Reimold has enjoyed a fruitful May (.342/.392/.630 in 73 at-bats) . . . Akron (Indians) shortstop Josh Rodriguez went a modest 1-for-1, but he came back for seconds and thirds on walks, drawing three free passes.

What To Watch For Today
Reimold tries to make it 13 straight games with a hit tonight in Erie.